Free Not Your Father's Founders by Arthur G. Sharp Page B

ERRY’S OBJECTIONS TO THE U.S. C ONSTITUTION
    Gerry ran unsuccessfully for governor of Massachusetts in 1800, 1801, 1802, and 1803. He finally won the office in 1810. He served two terms as governor of Massachusetts. In 1812 the Massachusetts legislature redrew the boundaries of state legislative districts to favor Gerry’s party. The word “gerrymandering” was coined to describe the process. It is used today in the same context. The process cost Gerry his reelection bid in 1812. That year, he began a partial term as vice president of the United States. He replaced George Clinton, who died in office on April 20, 1812. Strangely enough, Gerry did the same thing two-and-a-half years later.
    FEDERAL FACTS
    The United States and France fought one another in the Quasi-War between 1798−1800 over treaty disputes, neutrality issues regarding the French Revolution, and French privateers’ practices of preying on American merchant vessels. The war, fought entirely at sea, was a tactical win for the United States. The countries resolved it with the Treaty of Mortefontaine, signed on September 30, 1800.
    He is not remembered for many of his other accomplishments, but he will always be known for “gerrymandering.” That is his legacy.

NATHANAEL GREENE
    Warwick, Rhode Island
August 7, 1742−June 19, 1786
You Don’t Need to Win a Battle to Win a War
    If there was a military science book available in Coventry, Rhode Island, in the 1750s, Nathanael Greene read it. The fact that he gained most of his military training through books rather than practical experience set him apart from most other military leaders in the Revolutionary War. However he acquired it, his military knowledge paid off later when he became one of George Washington’s most trusted generals, capping a meteoric rise for the former member of the Rhode Island General Assembly and militiaman in a local company called the Kentish Guards.

On-the-Job Training
    Greene was one of four Rhode Islanders to rush to Boston to offer his services after the battles at Lexington and Concord in April 1775. Shortly thereafter, the Rhode Island General Assembly authorized a force of 1,600 troops to travel to Massachusetts and appointed Greene to lead them. The Assembly was taking a chance. Greene’s military experience to that point amounted to what he had learned from books in his large personal library and a bit of training with the Kentish Guards. That proved to be enough.
    When Washington arrived in Boston to take command of the American troops, he and Greene bonded immediately. Their friendship and close working relationship contributed significantly to the Americans’ ultimate military victory.
    Washington and Greene took their war on the road and fought wherever they were needed following the successful conclusion to the siege of Boston. Where Washington went, Greene was sure to follow.
    REVOLUTIONARY REVELATIONS
    Greene had a unique perspective on serving his country as a soldier. Early in the war many patriots were willing to serve in their local areas. Once the army moved to a different locale they went home. Greene was not among them. He theorized that patriots’ unwillingness to travel with the army would prevent a military victory.
Next Stop, New York
    In 1776, Greene led troops during the battles at Long Island, New York City, and Princeton, New Jersey. On July 1, 1776, his troops were under great pressure on Long Island where British army units were massing to drive them away. Washington dispatched 500 men to reinforce him. Unfortunately, Greene became ill and missed the rest of the battle. He recovered in time to suffer severe anguish over the loss of Fort Washington in the Battle of New York.
    FEDERAL FACTS
    The Americans were desperate for supplies in 1776. In typical “good news, bad news” fashion, while Greene was calling for reinforcements, Washington’s aide-de-camp, Samuel Blachley Webb, noted in his